One of the up-and-coming devices that is relevant in the medical industry is the Medtronic DBS for epilepsy, and this device has brought hope to epilepsy patients. This system is used in patients who have trouble responding to the medicinal treatment, and it helps to reduce epilepsy seizures. It also gives the patients safe access to MRI that assists in diagnosing cases of deep brain stimulation. This procedure is fit for epilepsy patients who are above the age of eighteen, and it reduces their seizures, but it is often accompanied by minimal medication. Its use has proven to be both safe and effective because, in the evaluation, the device has helped patients who previously experienced six seizures monthly to no seizure for more than thirty days.
According to the tests done, Medtronic DBS reduces the frequency of seizures in the patients; it also decreases the severity of these seizures, thus reducing the chances of a patient acquiring injuries related to epilepsy. Long-time use of this method could also stop the seizures, after all, contributing to the patient's quality of life.
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Medtronic DBS works by targeting the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) in the brain, which is responsible for the generation of seizures. The leads is deposited in the ANT, and it controls the brain's stimulation. Medtronic DBS consists of leads which control the electric pulses and lead stimulators, which connect the leads to the neurostimulator. It also includes neurostimulators, which is implanted under the skin on the upper chest and is similar to a pacemaker, and its work is to control electric stimulations.
This procedure is better than other clinical procedures that treat epilepsy because it is easily controlled as it includes programming devices, which are a clinical programmer and intercept patient programmer. Clinical programmers are designed for each individual patient, and its function is to adjust stimulation parameters, form different therapy groups, and preconfigure stimulation options. The intercept patient programmer gives the patient control over the therapy. It enables the patient to activate the treatment by pressing a button if they feel a seizure approaching, thus evading a seizure event. It also enables the patient to turn the DBS on and off, check the neurostimulator's battery, and switch between the therapy modes.
Accessing the Medtronic DBS therapy can be quite expensive because it is a new procedure, and it requires surgery to implant the stimulating device. The procedure could cost between 35,000dollars to 50,000dollars for one part of the brain and between 70000 dollars to 100,000 dollars for both sides of the brain. These costs are inclusive of the surgery, anesthesia, device, hospital fees, and physician fees. One advantage of this procedure is that the Food and Drug Administration has approved it. Most private and public insurance companies cover most, if not all, of the costs of obtaining the Medtronic DBS. However, the insurance company might need a letter from the patient's health care provider that shows the cost of the procedure for approval.
After installation, a patient might feel a tingling shock on the first activation, which might prolong for a while and be accompanied by facial pulling, but this will subside after a while. The recovery process after surgery usually takes several weeks, but this period varies from patient to patient. The healing process is accompanied by some discomfort around the incision points, and the doctor usually turns on the neurostimulator after complete healing to avoid complications. It is advisable for a patient to avoid strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects during the healing process. It may take twelve to eighteen months for the therapy to reach its maximum effect, and the patient is advised to go for regular checkups during this time.
The Medtronic DBS has its benefits and risks on the patient's health. One benefit of this medical method is that it is effective and well established. This procedure has effectively controlled epilepsy in patients, and it has been tested for the past seven years. Medtronic DBS is also consistent and sustained because it has been able to reduce the frequency of seizures over the years. This therapy has also ensured epilepsy patients that freedom from seizures is possible. Medtronic DBS is beneficial because it has customized programming. It is comfortable to know that the intensity of the stimulation could be adjusted by the patient and the medical caregiver, switching it between the four types of therapy.
Patients with Medtronic DBS could have conditional MRI anywhere in their body, which is beneficial for the patient's health. The Medtronic DBS theory is reversible, unlike other procedures. It does not affect any part of the brain, and in case it does not work or results in complications, it could be switched off or removed. It is also much safer, stable, and a long term solution in controlling epilepsy.
Medtronic DBS therapy, just like any other surgery, has its risks. The patient could experience fatal complications such as coma, excessive bleeding, infection, seizures, and stroke. All this could cause death during surgery, and infection could also occur after surgery, causing the device to be faulty. Mental health cases have also been reported from patients undergoing Medtronic DBS therapy. This procedure is not suitable for patients undergoing diathermy and transactional magnetic stimulation. MRI could also be dangerous for Medtronic DBS patients because it may interact with other medical devices causing electromagnetic interference. This procedure could also backfire and cause more frequent and intense seizures for the patient.
